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The curriculum forLatin is part of the on-going review of the curriculum, Curriculum for Excellence.The draft outcomes and experiences for classical languages were released for engagementon 10 December on the Curriculum for Excellence website:www.curriculumforexcellencescotland.gov.uk.

The introduction tothe draft outcomes makes clear the very positive contribution that study of classicallanguages can make to learning of other languages, especially Romance languages.

The Cabinet Secretaryhas asked officials to examine whether the publication of the draft outcomes andexperiences for classical languages provides future opportunities for the teachingof Latin.

HM Inspectorateof Education regularly inspect schools, including, where appropriate, inspectionon the teaching of Latin.

The activity fundedthrough the Adult Literacy and Numeracy in Scotland strategy operates under a social practice model. This is based on a lifelonglearning, learner centred approach to programmes where adults’ learning needs andabilities are assessed and individual goals set out in a learner’s individual learningplan. This is the focus of the learning, rather than a preset course. Progress ismeasured in terms of changes in learner’s ability to use literacy and numeracy andnot compulsory testing (thus encouraging participation). There is therefore no informationon course completions.

This information isnot held centrally.

Scotland operates a social practice strategy for literacyand numeracy. The strategy is based on a lifelong learning, learner centred approachto programmes where adults’ learning needs and abilities are assessed and individualgoals set out in a learner’s individual learning plan. Progress is measured in termsof changes in learners’ ability to use literacy and numeracy i.e. the distance thelearner has travelled and without compulsory testing (to encourage participation).This makes measurement of progress difficult, however, we are currently refreshingthe ALNIS Strategy and expect that this will make recommendations about how betterto achieve this.

This information isnot held centrally.

From 2001 to March2007 around 180,000 new adult learners have accessed literacy and numeracy provision.This figure is not broken down by age group.

Scotland operates a social practice strategy for literacyand numeracy. The strategy is based on a lifelong learning, learner centred approachto programmes where adults’ learning needs and abilities are assessed and individualgoals set out in a learner’s individual learning plan, rather than a preset course.Progress is measured in terms of changes in learner’s ability to use literacy andnumeracy i.e. the distance the learner has travelled and without compulsory testing(to encourage participation). This makes measurement of progress difficult, howeverwe are currently refreshing the ALNIS strategy and expect that this will make recommendationsabout how better to achieve this.

Since 2001 to March2007, around 180,000 new adult learners have accessed help to address their lowlevels of literacy and numeracy. Details of age groups are not held centrally.

The figure is takenfrom the 1997 International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) which indicated that around23% of adults in Scotland have low literacy skills.

The Scottish Governmentis considering commissioning research into how best to determine the current levelof adult literacy rates.

A report on the FirstMinister’s recent visit to theUnited States of America has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib.number 43943).

The government’s intentionis that a council tax freeze at 2007-08 levels can best be achieved through constructivediscussion and agreement with local government. This is the course of action I ampursuing.

When conducting any licence reviewunder the Water Environment (Controlled Activities)(Scotland) Regulations2005 (CAR), SEPA must comply with the procedural requirements established by thatregime. It is these due process arrangements that will ensure that an appropriatebalance is struck in any particular case between our targets to promote renewableenergy (such as hydro-power) and for Scotland’s water environment to be protectedfor future generations. As such, it would not be appropriate to instruct SEPA notto permit losses in electricity generation when exercising its functions under CAR.

Local authorities are independentcorporate bodies and it is for local authorities themselves to implement equal paylegislation and the agreement they have entered into on single status.